[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6232026,"mediaKeyId","3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48","parentId",3426935,"title","Retired teacher urges board to restore theater arts staffing after perceived decline","audioSeconds",99,"startMs",4272000,"endMs",4371000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48&start=4272&end=4371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48/thumbnail_4272000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232026/North-Carolina/Retired-teacher-urges-board-to-restore-theater-arts-staffing-after-perceived-decline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232026-b5d90d8ecef22c7339e2cdefb62476ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432600&Signature=KiNIKbLXCLmidLr07WWMCF80-xUwzzUTl6A48XvVFXiJBHKxkSNB5PXokF0KHKRozPX7MSRYFlnBsO9tc39Pa7IlIoswnjHJo6oaffI35gChBpGaHOvGqXvwflKKMCYkZVfy35t4~mWDY2u8KTX6iG6dqMxezB6hAO9zJ-IRU1OZX7M8g7RyAAr7JMx~Ha4tscsUUM715h9Chy9bMawA9wteVyCyOdzB~ElfLoaGsbjYd0u1HB0zVINWUBEZD71-XDB8yYFVx41YpthqH8aaVLAzvWie6a-P5R4WDDXvZoQO8IijMIUrl8v1E7qlXviC-MLq2llIcvuv0ekbm~-L-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T17:44:42.21Z","article","GASTONIA, N.C. — During the public expression portion of the May 19 Gaston County Board of Education meeting, a retired high school math teacher urged the board to increase theater arts staffing and programming across the district.

Martha Stowe, a retired Gaston County Schools high school math teacher who identified herself as living in Belmont, told the board Belmont Abbey College had received $9,000,000 to build a fine arts performing center and suggested that the county's public schools had not matched that level of investment. \"Belmont Abbey has received $9,000,000 to build a fine arts performing center,\" Stowe said. \"It probably will cost close to $60,000,000 by the time it's complete.\"

Nut graf: Stowe argued the district has fewer full-time theater and dance teachers now than in the past and asked the board to consider funding and program changes so all 13 high schools can offer comprehensive theater arts opportunities.

Stowe said the county once had 13 theater and dance teachers at the high school level but currently has \"two full-time teachers in the county schools at the high school level for our 13 high schools,\" and she asked the board to consider ways to add funding and staff. She told the board that charter schools and private schools had outperformed district teams at regional theater competitions and said students should have access to full programs in every high school. She described the benefits of theater for students and recounted learning and career examples from past programs.

Board procedure context: The board's public expression rules, read earlier by the chair, limit speakers to three minutes and request that board members not respond during the comment period. After Stowe finished, the chair thanked her and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.

Ending: Stowe urged the board to \"please consider what we could do to add funding\" for theater arts and to restore opportunities so students across Gaston County Schools can participate in comprehensive theater programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 19, 2025 Gaston County Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A retired Gaston County Schools teacher asked the board to consider restoring theater arts and dance teachers across the district after citing a dramatic reduction in full-time positions over two decades.","taxTitle","Gaston County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14090,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232031,"Board’s operations report details $110M bond appropriation, Greer Middle change order and pending Armstrong property purchase",130,2579000,2709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48&start=2579&end=2709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48/thumbnail_2579000.jpg","/articles/6232031/North-Carolina/Boards-operations-report-details-110M-bond-appropriation-Greer-Middle-change-order-and-pending-Armstrong-property-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232031-57c93c1d6f508cec84d7b27e260c0816/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432600&Signature=NJTaHrDRDavJTZVbzynzL3ZmrWXyiBsMBYLP9m0KBiPicSafl54nvWr3CRPmwXILQOXvtmK8X8LE8OcW4z53SWHYARGfwVlB7mXi-4olmnXmbrpRczP3CJai~MHYmCOVA~LVsd5ERRnXTw1L9OhiaalMTy861l40FAyJzA5CG-Gd~y-5aEnLTEnhkuZVedb2w2QbbgKU9~FUsM6p86gJNiD2OkjfG3a56J71qMzAXhcHriGo54zIKbQBZ6DcQurHmfmzuiR6U3xdTWQzR2refXYMa3f9Ih4lhqLMQiiiqHwYK7xwLzaBR2rjDzPPcjhnz~FmBUxQ2cUkpKc2W1ZqDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gaston County Board of Education's operations committee reported on capital and bond matters at the May 19 meeting, noting a county appropriation of bond proceeds, recommended change orders for Greer Middle School and a recommended property purchase that the board placed on the consent agenda and approved.

Miss Doc Cherry, reading the operations committee report, told the board the county commissioners appropriated $110,000,000 in school bonds on April 22 as the final installment of a $250,000,000 bond offering. The committee also reported $4,200,000 in interest appropriated from the county's bond funds, as stated in the committee notes.

Nut graf: The operations committee recommended several items for the consent agenda tied to bond proceeds and planned capital projects: an additional $500,000 allowance for Greer Middle School phase 2 due to higher-than-anticipated rock excavation and emergency responder system costs, and approval of the Armstrong property purchase for $1,500,000 pending county commissioners' approval and funding from bond proceeds.

Details and action: Cherry said due diligence on the Armstrong property was complete and no disqualifying issues were found; the recommendation for purchase was contingent on county approval. The Greer Middle recommendation — an additional $500,000 in allowances for phase 2 paid from bond proceeds — was described as a change order that would appear on the consent agenda. The operations committee's list of consent items also included replacements of HVAC controllers, facility services, Greer Middle School graphics and an annual engagement letter with independent auditors.

The consent agenda including the Greer Middle change order and the Armstrong property item was moved, seconded and approved unanimously by the board.

Ending: Committee members said the funding comes from bond proceeds and noted the county's upcoming vote on the broader local budget. The operations committee scheduled its next meeting for June 2 and will continue oversight of these capital projects.","Operations committee reported county appropriation of $110 million in school bonds, recommended a $500,000 allowance increase for Greer Middle School phase 2 and recommended purchase of the Armstrong property for $1.5 million pending county approval; those consent items were approved by the board.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232035,"Board approves one-year contract with ESS for substitute staffing amid cost concerns",173,5996000,6169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48&start=5996&end=6169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48/thumbnail_5996000.jpg","/articles/6232035/North-Carolina/Board-approves-one-year-contract-with-ESS-for-substitute-staffing-amid-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232035-c174a01061cddf629359b211b2c69a53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432600&Signature=YRyInUQgkpx2GEi~mMYAUcJa8aZm6n1KVg58Obij40xGKaHafYoUXKvVaQ91-tpKVx2VrGeeqay6ZEgdXvWMx72xMxOHbJKxuNTwO0NmPLbo2A4paWNU2ENafoB1lyxZyoM~QgXPXt8rgjPqyqCwFm8lsC4l2lymJv-3Ql2PoUnsWwkBLtq5QWcG0weV-i6RjPKGDuCOsiCIgwMKO4fVJv-xNRUsyEkj0~Ay1KqK3cOG-jRb3SUIVjwBaeXnwy6Ru8qBI6Vxswz1NHBJ2VnPBm4YRqg3HFGTMO-5dYgGjpYl1oKAPUN8vrz7ilJ8QHLX7Xy-dOWDRgUXrj~Cpi7g~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gaston County Board of Education approved a one-year contract with ESS Southeast LLC to provide substitute staff placement services at the May 19 meeting, but several board members highlighted cost and program concerns during discussion.

The contract—presented as a one-year initial commitment—will make substitutes contracted employees of the provider and eligible for benefits, the board was told. Proponents said the arrangement is expected to increase substitute fill rates and reduce the workload on building administrators.

Nut graf: While the district expects operational benefits, board members asked whether the $300,000 increase over current in-house costs could be negotiated and raised concerns about how the contract might affect funds available for mandated mentor programs and other local staffing priorities.

Discussion and details: Board member Robbie Lovelace said she was not present at the curriculum committee meeting where ESS was discussed and had followed up with staff. She listed pros — higher substitute availability and less classroom disruption — and cons, particularly the contract cost. \"$300,000 is a lot of money,\" she said, and asked how the district will preserve funding for mentor stipends and other state-mandated supports for first-year teachers. Staff members cited in the discussion included Dr. Richard Houchard, Tanya Kells, Beth Suber and Gary Hoskins, who provided background on the proposal.

Action: The board voted to approve the ESS substitute staff placement services contract (motion by Jeff Ramsey; second by Lee Dedmon). The board chair declared the motion carried.

Ending: Board members said they will monitor the vendor's performance during the one-year term and consider cost and program impacts during future budget discussions.","The board approved a one-year contract with ESS Southeast to place substitute staff; board members raised concerns about the roughly $300,000 additional annual cost and effects on mentor funding and local staffing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232039,"Gaston County Schools expands summer meal bundles, highlights on-site farm and greenhouse plans",204,4956000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48&start=4956&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426935-fbe7061e4d8027cb52c21d78f3f9fc48/thumbnail_4956000.jpg","/articles/6232039/North-Carolina/Gaston-County-Schools-expands-summer-meal-bundles-highlights-on-site-farm-and-greenhouse-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232039-b45480712999bfc16faac54a793f989f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432600&Signature=L3wFzP3dg5YVIhxPoklKr43ALKwTsslP6mzfJokAMBllbajI5hHpSGcFJsGxVnoEO6k-rxBePRIQFW39xbo1WLa21p3f0vMEIipbVWCWT2YekBLpicO~I3IvGg1RupvVEOUIabSWFS~MD84Wkya-AbAavnZxujOl7TiiazoOeY0MslAWuaG1Pp8mon~NBmieQJ8MH8qaGLLSTbdZIIWmVIOd4t9EXgkZ0t~s0PpLvDRKCPx3uDoNU63BQyasczYHA0-TfoWJGY13GDFTcFtF~mRBFt9C5bEmDfikK4~zp~QXd4s2k5sEvbo0EBNMx0oDMp5ntwEPgplHo8KrCK8JVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GASTONIA, N.C. — Gaston County Schools' nutrition director outlined plans to expand summer meal service and described growth of the district-run farm during the Board of Education meeting on May 19.

The district's school nutrition director, Angela, told the board the system continues to run the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, the Child and Adult Care Feeding after-school snack program and summer feeding. She said breakfast participation is about 10,500 daily meals and lunch participation is over 20,000 daily meals, and the district now has 45 schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, which eliminates meal applications at those sites.

Angela said nine school sites will serve hot breakfast and lunch beginning June 9 and six community sites will offer non-congregate, take-home meal bundles. \"Last year we did 4- and 5-day bundles. This year we're going to do 7-day bundles because it was such a huge success,\" she said. The district will also deliver cold bag lunches to roughly 50–60 community camp sites. The program will be posted on the district website and by phone, she said.

Nut graf: The school nutrition presentation flagged operational stability and local sourcing as priorities: the program is maintaining a positive enterprise fund balance, expanding locally grown produce through a contracted farm operator, and piloting a hydroponic greenhouse to provide year-round lettuce for the central kitchen.

Details and context: Angela said the program has maintained a positive fund balance of approximately $4,500,000 while facing increased food, supply and labor costs. She described a partnership with Deep Roots to operate the district farm at Central Kitchen and said strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and collard greens have been grown successfully. The school nutrition director said the greenhouse will support year-round hydroponic lettuce production to reduce reliance on out-of-region suppliers.

Angela noted the summer non-congregate option is authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and allows families to receive multi-day meal bundles to take home when daily attendance at a feeding site is difficult. She said families can choose 4-day or 7-day bundles depending on storage needs.

Board members asked clarifying questions. Board Chair Josh Crisp praised the program; Chad Duncan, the county athletic director, asked how many school systems in North Carolina operate a farm, and Angela said she was aware of one other district with a farm program. Board members and staff commended the work, noting the program supports employment for nutrition staff in summer months.

Action: The board approved the nutrition action item on the agenda to adopt school calendar dates for 2025–26 (motion by Jeff Ramsey; second by Janice Smith). Angela also presented the annual list of bids for 2025–26 that exceed $90,000 for board consideration.

Ending: The board recorded appreciation for the farm-to-school efforts and the planned hydroponic greenhouse, and the nutrition director invited board members to tour the farm and central production facility.","School Nutrition reported steady meal participation, expanded summer feeding with 7-day take-home bundles, a $4.5 million positive fund balance, and plans for a hydroponic greenhouse and expanded farm production.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Retired teacher urges board to restore theater arts staffing after perceived decline

Board’s operations report details $110M bond appropriation, Greer Middle change order and pending Armstrong property purchase

Board approves one-year contract with ESS for substitute staffing amid cost concerns

Gaston County Schools expands summer meal bundles, highlights on-site farm and greenhouse plans